Safety and predictors of the success of lumbar punctures performed by a medicine procedure service

Background Medicine procedure services (MPS) increasingly perform bedside procedures, including lumbar punctures (LPs). Success rates and factors associated with LP success performed by MPS have not been well described. Objective We identified patients undergoing LP by an MPS September 2015 to December 2020. We identified demographic and clinical factors, including patient position, body mass index (BMI), use of ultrasound, and trainee participation. We performed multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with LP success and complications. Main Outcome and Measures We identified 1065 LPs among 844 patients. Trainees participated in 82.2%; ultrasound guidance was used in 76.7% of LPs. The overall success rate was 81.3% with 7.8% minor and 0.1% major complications. A minority of LPs were referred to radiology (15.2%) or were traumatic (11.1%). In multivariable analysis, BMI > 30 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–0.48), prior spinal surgery (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26–0.87), and Black race (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.95) were associated with decreased odds of successful LP; trainee participation (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.51–4.12) was associated with increased odds. Ultrasound guidance (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.31–0.89) was associated with lower odds of traumatic LP. Results In a large cohort of patients undergoing LP by an MPS, we identified high success and low complication rates. Trainee participation was associated with increased odds of success, while obesity, prior spinal surgery, and Black race were associated with decreased odds of success. Ultrasound guidance was associated with lower odds of a traumatic LP. Our data may help proceduralists in planning and assist in shared decision‐making.